Embedded Files
Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements
In order to complete the FAFSA and be eligible for federal student aid, students should:
Be a US Citizen or eligible non-citizen
Eligible non-citizens are: A U.S. national (includes natives of American Samoa or Swains Island), U.S. permanent resident (who has an I-151, I-551 or I-551C [Permanent Resident Card]), or an individual who has an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) showing one of the following designations:
"Refugee"
"Asylum Granted"
"Cuban-Haitian Entrant (Status Pending)"
"Conditional Entrant" (valid only if issued before April 1, 1980)
Victims of human trafficking, T-visa (T-2, T-3, or T-4, etc.) holder
"Parolee" (You must be paroled into the United States for at least one year and you must be able to provide evidence from the USCIS that you are in the United States for other than a temporary purpose and that you intend to become a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.)
If you meet the noncitizen criteria above, you are eligible to receive federal student aid. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please check with your school's financial aid office for more information.
Have a valid social security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau)
Click here to read more about FAFSA eligibility and eligibility for non-US Citizens.
*Additional requirements do exist for students to receive federal aid after applying, read more below!
Read below to learn more about FAFSA eligibility and other options for non-eligible students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
As an undocumented or DACAmented student, am I eligible for federal aid?
No. Undocumented students, including DACA students, are not eligible for federal student aid and should not complete the FAFSA. However, you may be eligible for state or college financial aid, in addition to private scholarships. Read more below!
As an undocumented or DACAmented student, am I eligible for in-state tuition?
It depends. In some states, undocumented students, or specifically DACAmented students, are eligible to receive in-state tuition. We recommend talking with a trusted adult to help you get in contact with your prospective college's financial aid office. You can also read more below about programs in Madison for undocumented and DACAmented students.
Does my parents’ citizenship status affect my eligibility for federal student aid?
No. Your parents’ citizenship status does not affect your eligibility for federal student aid. Students whose parents do not have Social Security Numbers can and should still complete the FAFSA (as long as the student themselves is eligible).
Starting in 2023, there will be a new process for parents/guardians who do not have eligible Social Security Numbers to create an FSA ID to complete and sign the FAFSA. This process will be finalized in Fall 2023, and we will update this page with information once it is available.
As an undocumented or DACAmented student, am I eligible for scholarships?
It depends. Undocumented students and DACAmented students are eligible for some scholarships. Some colleges and universities give merit- and need-based scholarships to students regardless of status. Additionally, outside sources such as private companies, scholarship funds, and others also provide scholarships to students regardless of documented status. Some scholarships are even specifically for these students.
For more information about scholarships for undocumented and DACAmented students, please see the Scholarships section of this Higher Ed Resource Hub.
Private Loans
Private Loans
Many banks and credit unions may require a student to be a US citizen or permanent resident before they would approve a private education loan for the student, but some undocumented and DACA students have been able to locate a private lender that would allow a family member or sponsor who is a US citizen or permanent resident to borrow a private loan on the student’s behalf. Each private lender will have their own policies, so be sure to contact any lenders before applying to learn about their requirements. You may review private loan information and lenders by visiting uwm.edu/fastchoice.
Information on Financial Aid Options for Undocumented Students (Campus Specific)
UW Madison
UW Madison
At this time, there is no alternative FAFSA form provided by the University
Undocumented students are eligible for aid at UW through Badger Promise. This is a transfer program through Scholars of Promise at Madison college.
Contact Martina Diaz (Senior Advisor in the Office of Student Financial Aid) with questions:
Email: martina.diaz@wisc.edu
Phone: 608-262-4448
Madison College
Madison College
To receive access to the Alternative FAFSA form, you must complete the Scholars of Promise Application here. Once a student indicates on their application that they are unable to complete the regular online FAFSA, they will receive an email to verify that they qualify to use the alternate FAFSA and will receive the link to complete this electronically at both their personal and Madison College email.
SoP Communications and Outreach Specialists: Brittany Knuteson
Edgewood College
Edgewood College
Alternative FAFSA form is available here. Once completed, email the form to ecentral@edgewood.edu
Contact Torrie Briggs (Undergraduate Admissions Counselor) with questions:
Email: torbriggs@edgewood.edu
Phone: 608-663-2294
Contact Sarah Rosenberger (Senior Financial Aid Counselor) with questions about alternative FAFSA:
Email: srosenberger@edgewood.edu
Edgewood Freshman Scholarships: https://www.edgewood.edu/admissions/tuition-and-financial-aid/freshman-scholarships
Emerging Leaders Program
UW Milwaukee
UW Milwaukee
Tips for Undocumented Students
Includes the link to UWM’s Non-FAFSA Need-Based Aid Worksheet to assist with scholarship applications.
On-campus center that provides information on lots of resources for undocumented and DACA students about DACA, funding options, and general college preparedness resources
On-campus center that similarly provides information on funding opportunities and resources for undocumented students
UW Platteville
UW Platteville
At this time, UW Platteville does not provide an alternative FAFSA form.
Contact Mike Huser (Assistant Director of Financial Aid)
Email: husermi@uwplatt.edu
Phone: 608-342-1836
UW Whitewater
UW Whitewater
At this time, UW Whitewater does not provide an alternative FAFSA form.
Contact Financial Aid Office:
Email: uwwfao@uww.edu
Phone: 262.472.1130
Jeremy Smith (Assistant Director of Admissions): smithjr@uww.edu
UMN - Twin Cities
UMN - Twin Cities
Alternative FAFSA form is only available for MN residents through the MN Dream Act Application. Non-MN residents do not qualify for the alternative form.
Undocumented students from out of state are classified as out of state students and not international students
Multicultural Center at UMN can be reached at: mcae@umn.edu
Herzing University
Herzing University
Herzing University’s Scholarship Pledge to the Boys and Girls Club
Herzing University is proudly supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of America members by offering 40 FULL SCHOLARSHIPS over the course of 4 years to active members of the organization!
Deadline: There is no deadline to apply as this is a multi-year scholarship spanning over all semester starts. Also, the students do not need to be US citizens, just meet the admissions requirements for entry into their desired programs.
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